The Nigerian Army has killed five top terrorist commanders and three of their deputies while rescuing 40 kidnapped victims in sustained counter-terrorism operations across the North-East in January.
The Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Michael Onoja, disclosed this in Abuja on Friday while briefing journalists on the activities of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI.
Onoja said troops, working closely with the Air Component, hybrid forces, and local security groups, denied Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) terrorists freedom of action in the region.
“From January 1 to 29, troops conducted aggressive ground and air operations across Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states, neutralising scores of terrorists, arresting 74 suspects, and rescuing 40 kidnapped victims,” he said.
He added, “Notably, five top terrorist commanders and three of their lieutenants were neutralised during intense firefights in the theatre.”
The defence spokesman also said 44 terrorists and their family members voluntarily surrendered to troops within the period, as sustained military pressure degraded terrorist networks and logistics.
Onoja disclosed that key clearance and interdiction operations were conducted in Gwoza, Damboa, Mobbar, Askira-Uba, and Konduga Local Government Areas of Borno State, as well as Michika in Adamawa and Damaturu in Yobe.
He said two notorious terrorist commanders, identified as Basulhu and Ubaida, were killed during an encounter with troops at the Mandara Mountains on January 22, adding that weapons and ammunition caches were recovered.
Onoja further stated, “The Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI, in conjunction with Nigerian Army Aviation, executed several air interdiction missions, including coordinated strikes on a new terrorist hideout in the Northern Tumbuns, identified as a hibernation area for senior ISWAP commanders.”
He added that dozens of terrorists were neutralised during air-ground operations in the Timbuktu Triangle, forcing surviving fighters to flee with severe injuries.
“The sustained operations have significantly degraded terrorist capabilities and paved the way for the safe resettlement of displaced persons in parts of the North East,” he said.
Onoja reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups until lasting peace and stability are restored in the region.
NAN
